Author: Jaci Burton

“Is it? Why?”

She shrugged. “We’re just worlds apart.”

Carolina laughed. “Oh, that excuse. Did you even try, or did you get cold feet?”

“It’s a little more complicated than that. And hey, why did you assume the breakup was my fault?”

“Because I know you. You’d look for any excuse to not make it work. ‘Oh, he’s a lawyer, it would never work between us.’ ‘Oh, he’s not a lawyer, it would never work between us.’ ‘Oh, we’re from two different worlds, it would never work between us.’” She laid the back of her hand against her forehead for dramatic emphasis.

“I am not like that at all.” She paused, then cocked her head to the side. “Am I?”

“I think you look for reasons not to be in love because you’re afraid it’ll threaten your lifelong career goals, and if you do fall in love, God forbid you might have to compromise.”

Evelyn set her fork down. “I do not do that. Do I?”

Carolina shrugged. “I’m biased in this regard because Gray is my brother and he’s a giant pain in the ass, but I love him. And I think you do, too. So what did he do that was so terrible?”

“You knew he was at the suite the week of the convention, didn’t you?”

“Yes. But he didn’t tell you because he didn’t want you worrying about him being hurt when that was your big week.” Carolina’s eyes widened. “That was it? That’s why you broke up with him?”

Hearing it from Carolina made her sound petty and selfish. “I could have handled it, you know.”

“You’d have been a basket case. Hell, you were a basket case even without dealing with Gray and his injuries. So he was being thoughtful and you kicked him to the curb.”

Evelyn twirled the glass of iced tea around with both hands. “You make me sound like such a heartless bitch.”

Carolina laughed. “Not at all. Honey, I’m sorry. It’s just that I think you’re so afraid of love and commitment and what it might mean for your future goals. Come on, take a chance. My brother’s not a bad guy, you know.”

Her head shot up. “Of course he isn’t, Carolina. God, do you have any idea how much I love him?”

“Well, no, I don’t. The question is, does he have any idea how much you love him?”

Tears pricked her eyes. “Oh, you bitch. Now look what you’re doing to me.” She fished in her purse for a tissue.

Carolina’s lips curved. “Oh, you’re melting, you’re melting. What a cruel, cruel world . . .”

“So not funny.”

“Give it up, Evelyn. You’re in love. Throw your lot in with my big bad brother and see how it goes.”

She sighed. “You’re right. I have to throw in the towel. In the midst of this utter chaos, where I’m surprised I can even remember to put my underwear on the right way every day, I still can’t get him out of my head. Or my heart.”

“Dammit. Now I’m going to get all weepy.” Carolina held out her hand, and Evelyn passed her a tissue.

Carolina was right, though. She had purposely evaded the one person she loved, had put that road block up so she wouldn’t have to deal with being in love with him, when there was no avoiding it.

And now she had to face it—face him—and finally do something about it.

THIRTY-ONE

FINDING A WOMAN ATTACHED TO A SENATOR IN THE midst of a presidential campaign was a lot like finding a lost contact lens in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

They were like moving targets, rarely in one place for long before picking up stakes and heading into new territory.

Fortunately, Gray had a pretty good “in” with the vice presidential candidate, so he called his dad and found out they were in D.C. for the day, but they’d be heading out the next afternoon for Colorado.

Travel sucked, but at least he was off the crutches now and in a walking cast, and his ribs had healed enough that he could more or less breathe again without feeling like ten swords were simultaneously stabbing him.

His dad told him that Evelyn was either at the campaign headquarters or at her apartment where she sometimes worked when she needed quiet time. Gray wanted to surprise her, so he tried the campaign headquarters first. Since it was late afternoon, he figured he’d find her there, but one of the staffers told him she was working at home today. So he climbed back into the private car he’d hired and gave them the address to her apartment.

Taking a deep breath—or as deep as he could take with his fucked-up ribs—he rang the bell to her apartment.

“Yes?” she answered at the speaker.

“Hey.”

“Gray?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, my God. Come in. Do you need help?”

“Just buzz me in, Evelyn.” Though he was really happy she was on the first level and not the third.

She buzzed and he moved to open the door. She was already there, opening the door for him.

“What are you doing here?”

She was in her suit, though she’d removed the jacket, leaving her in a pencil skirt and silk blouse, very similar to the first time he’d met her. Her hair was pulled up and she looked professional—and gorgeous.

“Thought I’d drop by. If that’s okay.”

“It’s very okay. Come in and sit down.”

She shut the door and he made his way to the most comfortable-looking chair in her living room.

“No crutches?”

“No. I hated those damn things,” he said as he put his leg up in the reclining chair.

“I harassed the doctors into getting me off of them as soon as possible.”

“I’m glad. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Water would be good.”

She hurried into the kitchen—she seemed nervous, which kind of made him happy since he was nervous as hell.

She brought him the water, which he downed in about three gulps. God, his throat was dry. This was like his first date all over again. He set the glass on the table next to the chair.

She took a seat on the small sofa and clasped her hands together.

“Been busy?” he asked.

“Very. You?”

“Not at all.”

She gave him a small smile. “I’m sorry. I know how frustrating that must be for you.”

He shrugged. “I’m dealing with it. Alex is a good driver, though. He’ll finish out the season for the number fifty-three decently enough, and I’ll be back in the car in time for Daytona in February.”

“Are you healing well?”

“Doctors all say I’m doing fine, but I’m restless. It’s hard for me to just sit and . . .

heal.”

“But it’s important that you don’t push yourself.”

He let out a laugh. “Pushing myself is what I do best. I’m not much of a sitter. I did spend some time at the beach house.”

“I’m sure that was relaxing.”

“It would have been more relaxing if you’d been there with me.”

She frowned. “Obviously, that wasn’t possible.”

“No. You have a job to do.” He pushed up and stood. So did Evelyn.

“You’re leaving?”

“Actually, I’d like you to take a ride with me, if you can spare a few minutes.”

“A ride where?”

He gave her a direct look. “Just trust me?”

She studied him. “All right. Let me grab my purse.”

He led her outside where his car was waiting. She climbed in and he shut the door behind them. “You have the address, Tom.”

“Yes, sir.”

She looked over at him. “I admit to being more than a little curious.”

“It’s not far.”

He hoped to God this worked, that she wasn’t angry when he showed her, that she understood his intention.

When they pulled up the drive, she looked over at him. “I don’t understand.”

“You will when I explain. Let’s get out.”

Evelyn got out and looked over the stunning home. She’d seen the For Sale sign when they pulled into the long driveway, could only imagine the price since the property itself must cost a fortune, considering its location in Georgetown.

“All these trees, and is that a pool back there?”

“Yeah. Tennis court, too. Let’s go inside and take a look.”

A woman stood by, nodding and smiling as she opened the door for them.

Inside was even more breathtaking. Rustic and homey, with hardwood floors and exposed wood beams, it was open and expansive, with high ceilings and wide windows, curving staircases, and the most amazing bathrooms and kitchen Evelyn had ever seen. Obviously a restored farmhouse, it boasted huge rooms and a playroom, and she lost count of the number of bedrooms.

There was even an enclosed porch, and acres of green lawn and mature trees. After being back in her cramped apartment, Evelyn was in love with the place.

“Wow,” was all she said after the tour. “That was fun. Whose place is this?”

Gray nodded at the Realtor, who left them alone in the kitchen.

“It could be ours.”

Her heart stuttered. “Excuse me?”

“Ours. Yours and mine.” He hobbled over to her and took her hands in his. “I want us to be together, Evelyn, which I know won’t be easy, but nothing worth having ever comes easy. I learned that a long time ago. If there’s something you want, you have to work hard to have it. And I want you.”

She took a deep breath. “Gray.”

“I love you, Evelyn. I might have handled some things badly, and for that I’m sorry. I know you’re capable of juggling the entire world on your shoulders, but you don’t have to do it alone. Do it with me. Marry me.”

She couldn’t hold back the tears. “Gray. I love you, too, and I let my own fears get in the way of telling you that. And for that I’m the one who’s sorry. You were only trying to help me, to clear the way for me to be able to do my job, and instead of being grateful, I jumped all over you and walked away from you. Please forgive me for that because I’ve been so miserable without you.”

She walked into his arms and his lips came down on hers. She relished his anguished groan of need as he kissed her. Suddenly, everything that had been wrong was suddenly right again, and her world was dizzy because of it. She held on to him like she never wanted to let go of him again.

She would never let go of him again.

When she broke the kiss, she swept her fingers over his cheekbones, his lips, and his strong jaw. “You bought this house?”

“I put a deposit down on it. If you don’t like it, we’ll keep looking. But I saw the trees and thought several of them were strong enough for a tire swing.”

“Oh. God. Yes. I love this house, Gray. It’s perfect for you and me and our children.” She brushed her lips across his, unable to believe he remembered the tire swing. “But what about your house in Daytona? Please don’t sell it.”

“Congress recesses, Evelyn. I’m not selling the house in Daytona. I thought we might also want a town house in New York. You liked it there, too.”

She took a deep breath and let it out. “You’re too good to me.”

“I don’t know about that. You’ve been pretty good to me, too. I’d say we’re good for each other.”

He let the Realtor know he’d sign the paperwork on the house tomorrow, then he and Evelyn left.

“I know this isn’t going to be easy,” he said. “We have very diverse careers and there are going to be times we won’t see each other. But people who love each other make time for each other. And I have days off after each race. And I promise you, when I’m not racing cars I’ll be racing home to you. And to our children.”